On May 19, 3:06*pm, "Michael Koblic" wrote:
I have never used threadlockers before (but I have only recently discovered
the benefits of internal combustion engine, so forgive me!).

I spent some considerable time on the various web-sites and got only limited
answers to my questions. Here they are, I would be grateful for any advice:

1) How does a $14-threadlocker differ from a $2 Superglue? I gather the
threadlockers are anaerobic. Does that mean that superglue is aerobic?
2) How long does it take for a threadlocker (say Loctite 242) to cure?
3) The purple, blue and red are different strengths. I just could not get a
picture of *how much* they differ. I gather you need heat to loosen up the
red, but what about the others?
4) Why the different thread size recommendation?
5) Where does the "Green" threadlocker fit in strength-wise? I understand
you put it on a fastener already in place, but what kind of result can be
expected?

I just did an experiment: Put a 1/2" nut half-way on a bolt and then
dribbled some cheap superglue into the cavity. It took its sweet time curing
(as observed by the behaviour of the small droplet in the middle of the
cavity), but then I had to grip the bolt in a pipe-vise (ordinary vise would
not do) and managed to get the nut off with a 3/4" spanner. On inspection,
only about 3 threads were engaged and there was still residue of uncured
glue on them.

Thanks for help,

--
Michael Koblic,
Campbell River, BC

Superglue is cyanoacrylic stuff, cures by exposure to moisture.
Generally has a short shelf life even if refrigerated. NOT the same
stuff as Loctite threadlockers and cousins. Those are methacrylates
that cure by exposure to metal ions and exclusion of oxygen.
Packaging is such that there is no metal in it and the bottles/tubes
are air-permeable. I've had Loctite be able to cure after sitting for
years on the shelf.

Now don't get confused, Loctite also makes/packages cyanoacrylic glues
under the Loctite name, but like I said, NOT the same stuff. Cure
rate for the threadlockers depends on contamination of the threads
involved, grade of threadlocker and size of gap to be filled. Some
grades work better than others with wider gaps. Temperature has a lot
to do with things, a slow pass over a 100 watt light bulb can speed
things up a lot as well as cleaning stuff off with the primer/
accelerator. Some types refuse to cure at all if the gap is too
large. Too much oxygen, not enough metal. Best to have grease-free
parts and close tolerances.

Stan